ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, October 13, 1996 TAG: 9610140015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
New River Newspapers launched its third New River Valley newspaper Oct. 5.
The Blacksburg Sentinel will serve the greater Blacksburg area. It will be delivered on Wednesday and Saturday. The company also publishes the Radford News Journal and The News Messenger of Christiansburg.
The new paper is part of a series of strategic moves to strengthen the coverage of local news and events in the communities served by the three local newspapers, said publisher John Reynolds. "We're trying to get back to our roots," he said.
Reynolds came to New River Newspapers in December from Community Newspaper Co. in Boston, Mass., where he served as vice president and chief financial officer.
Marty Gordon, who has held several posts with the company in the past 10 years, was named news editor. He'll continue to cover Montgomery County government while expanding the paper's coverage into the Blacksburg area.
The paper will be distributed both through paid circulation and by second-class mail distribution to single-family households in demographically attractive neighborhoods, according to Reynolds.
In 1995, Wayne Brockenbrough bought The News and Pulaski's Southwest Times from Worrell Newspapers Inc. In July 1995, publication of The News ceased and The News Messenger in Christiansburg and the Radford News Journal were reborn. The Southwest Times has since been sold to a Florida corporation.
Burtner to open CARS rental firm
BLACKSBURG - Fred Burtner, owner of Rent-a-Wreck outlets in Blacksburg and Roanoke, has ended his relationship with the nationwide car rental franchise and opened his own car rental business as Consumer Auto Rentals (CARS). Burtner, a Virginia Tech graduate and longtime Blacksburg resident, has operated a Rent-a-Wreck franchise for 11 years. He said when he started the business that the name recognition and assistance the company provided to him were helpful. But by now, "there's not much more they can do for me."
Burtner said his franchise agreement was for 10 years. "We've paid a pile of money already, and I'm not interested in another pile."
The business rents a variety of cars, passenger vans and pickup trucks ranging in price from $18.95 to $34.95 a day. Some vehicles are new, though most are between 2 and 5 years old.
The business is located on U.S. 460 near Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital. The Roanoke location is on Peters Creek Road.
Radford business owner wins contest
RADFORD - David Sale, co-owner of Radford Auto Auction, won the annual Virginia Auctioneers Association annual contest held recently in Abingdon.
The 28 participants from across the state were judged on their bid-calling ability, appearance, clarity of voice and salesmanship techniques. Audience members bid on items that included gift certificates, radios, compact disc players, telephones and other goods. The proceeds went to the Virginia 4-H Foundation.
Sale is a Radford native who has been an auctioneer for 22 years. He conducts weekly automobile auctions at Radford Auto Auction and works with his father, Frank D. Sale, in conducting real estate, personal property, equipment and livestock auctions.
Polled Hereford sale set for Saturday
DUBLIN - The New River Valley Polled Hereford Association's annual sale Saturday at the New River Valley Fairgrounds will feature cattle from some of the best bloodlines in the breed, association members say.
Included in the sale will be cow/calf pairs, heifers and breeding age bulls. The cattle offer traits that include efficiency gains, easy handling, fertility, adaptability, mothering ability, efficient growth and genetic dehorning. Their breeding can save in feed, labor and equipment costs, and reduce injuries, association members say.
The sale starts at 1 p.m. Potential buyers may view the animals the morning before the sale.
Blacksburg chamber seeks donations
BLACKSBURG - The Blacksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations for its new office and visitors center in Colony Park on South Main Street.
"Gold" donors who give $1,000 over two years will have their names engraved on a plaque in the chamber's office. "Silver" donors who give $500 will have their names placed on a group certificate of appreciation in the office. "Bronze" donors who give $250 will have their names on the group certificate in the office. The chamber will accept donations in other amounts to reach its goal of donations from all chamber members.
Blacksburg residents pass CPA exam
BLACKSBURG - Two Blacksburg residents recently passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, qualifying them to apply for licensure.
They are Bongsu Choi and Vijayalakshmi de Datta.
CALENDAR
Tuesday: The Radford/Roanoke section of the American Society for Quality Control meets at the Holiday Inn at the Roanoke Airports at 6 p.m. For reservations, call Dale Fitzgerald at 375-0528 or e-mail him at fitgedxc2ttc.com.
Friday: The New River Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association meets at the Holiday Inn in Blacksburg at 6 p.m. Speaking will be Susan Traxel, a certified private investigator, whose topic will be "Refuse to be a Victim." Reservations are required. Call Barbara Surratt after 6 p.m. at 731-8243.
Upcoming mixers sponsored by the Blacksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech, sponsored by the university's Panhellenic Council, and at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Morris Stowers and Associates in Southgate Park, sponsored by Morris Stowers and Associates, Crown Exterminating and WSLS (Channel 10).
LENGTH: Long : 108 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) Burtner, Saleby CNB